Your Computer is Not Starting, Now What?

Computers have become a big part of our lives today, with 95.2 percent of US households expected to own at least one computer in 2022. These machines are a vital part of businesses too. They help get work done smoothly and accurately, besides keeping employees connected with their colleagues throughout the day.

But what happens if your computer is not starting? It can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re in the middle of working on something important.

Thankfully, there are many simple things you can do to try and fix it. Today’s blog post will go over 10 of the most common things you can do to get your computer started again.

1. Charge the Battery

If your computer isn’t starting, one of the first things you should check is the battery. If it’s completely drained, your computer won’t boot up. Letting the battery charge for a few minutes can often solve the problem. 

This is just one of the advantages of using a laptop over a desktop computer. You can take it with you and use it almost anywhere. You don’t have to worry about being tethered to a power outlet. And if your battery does die, you can usually get back up and running again in a matter of minutes. 

Of course, it could be that the battery itself is too old and needs replacing, especially if it has been 2-4 years since you bought your laptop. Performing this easy upgrade can help minimize boot up issues in the future.

2. Try Using a Different Power Cable

Sometimes, a computer won’t start because of a problem with the power cable. If you have a laptop, you can try to wiggle the power cord where it plugs into the computer. If this doesn’t work, try plugging it into a different outlet. 

If you have a desktop computer, try unplugging and replugging the power cord from the back of the CPU. You can also try plugging it into a different power source. If these don’t work, you may need to replace your power cord. 

Fortunately, power cords are relatively inexpensive and easy to find yourself. Simply find a reputable store that sells computer parts and choose a new power cord.

3. Check Your Display

Check if your computer display is working by looking for any error messages that may pop up on the screen. The boot-up process has probably just gotten stuck if you don’t see any error messages. In this case, you can try restarting your computer or checking to see if there are any loose cables. 

However, if you see blue screening or an error message, the issue is likely driver corruption. This means that the files that help your computer run properly are either missing or damaged. 

Driver corruption can often be fixed by reinstalling the driver, which you can do by going to the manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest drivers for your computer model.

4. Reseat the Computer Hardware Inside

One possible reason your computer isn’t starting could be due to loose hardware. Inside your computer, there are a variety of components that need to be properly seated for the machine to function. If any of these components have come loose, it could explain why your computer isn’t starting up. 

The solution, then, is to open up your computer and reseat all of the hardware. This simply means taking out each component and putting it back in its rightful place. Once you’ve done this, try starting up your computer again. 

The problem will have been solved, and you’ll be back to working or playing in no time.

5. Check the BIOS

A problem with the BIOS can also cause boot-up issues. The BIOS is a basic input-output system that helps control how your computer starts up.

You can access the BIOS by pressing a certain key when your computer first turns on. Once you are in the BIOS, you can check the boot sequence to ensure that your computer is booting from the correct drive. 

You can also reset the BIOS to its default settings if you have changed anything and saved it incorrectly. Suppose you are still having issues after exploring the BIOS. In that case, there is likely a more serious issue with your computer, and you should take it to a professional for further diagnosis.

6. Scan for Viruses

One potential cause of your computer not starting properly is software corruption due to malware issues. You can diagnose the issue by scanning for viruses using a live CD. This will allow you to boot into a safe environment and run a virus scan without the worry of infecting your operating system. 

If you suspect that your computer has been infected with malware, this is an essential step in removal. Even if you don’t think your computer is infected, running a virus scan can rule out malware as the cause of your startup issue and help you focus on other potential causes.

If you do discover that the boot-up problem was the result of malware, you can avoid it in the future by updating your Mac regularly. 

7. Remove Unnecessary Accessories

Boot-up problems are often caused by too many accessories attached to the computer. If your computer is not starting, try removing unnecessary accessories, such as printers, scanners, or external hard drives. Once you have removed all unnecessary accessories, restart your computer and see if the problem has been resolved. 

If the boot-up issue persists, another cause may need to be addressed. However, simply removing unneeded accessories is enough to get the computer up and running again in many cases.

Know What to Do When Your Computer Is Not Starting

There are several reasons your trusty computer is not starting as it usually does. However, each of these issues is fixable, from a drained battery to a virus infection. Use the tips we’ve shared here to troubleshoot the issue and get your computer back on track.

Is your computer giving you problems? Get in touch with us today to book a repair.